Ghaziabad (PIB News) — Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Radha Mohan Singh said that in view of the importance of organic farming, with emphasis on sustainable production, food security and soil health, Central Government is committed to promote organic farming. Singh was speaking on the inauguration of the Agriculture fair based on Organic Farming here today.

The Minister of Agriculture said that the Government is promoting organic farming across the country through the dedicated scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Organic Value Chain Development for Northeast regions (OVCDNER under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).

Singh said that Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana(PKVY) scheme is the first comprehensive plan based on a 20-hectare cluster whose implementation is done by the state governments. In a cluster maximum financial assistance of up to 1 hectare is provided to the farmers. Every farmer of a cluster will be provided financial assistance ₹ 50,000 per hectare during the 3 years period. 10,000 organic clusters of 20 hectare will be developed to cover certified area by 2 lakh hectare during the 3 years.

The Minister also said that under PKVY scheme, the Annual Action Plan of 29 States and 1 Union Territory was approved with total outlay for ₹ 511.76 crore to develop 7186 clusters out of which ₹ 226.00 crore has been released during 2015-16. To achieve the target 10,000 clusters, 2814 clusters to be prepared during the 2016-17 under centrally sponsored scheme Pramaparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in which ₹ 297 crore has been allocated for the scheme during 2016-17.

Singh further said that under PKVY scheme, during 2015-16 the Central Government has released ₹ 2052.20 crore to the Uttar Pradesh Government but so far Uttar Pradesh government has utilized only ₹ 1075.692 crore. During 2016-17 the Central Government has released 1270.64 crore to the State Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Agriculture Minister said that under Deen Dayal Unnat Krishi Shiksha Yojna, 23 training centers are to be established in Uttar Pradesh. For the training centres those farmers will be selected who has during 2015-16 or before 2015-16 attended Unnat Bharat Abhiyan campaign held under natural farming or before the respective training course or the organic farming / natural farming / sustainable farming or farmers who have knowledge of own farming practices and organic farming practice may be aware of the basics and fundamental principles.

Singh said that Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare have recently signed an agreement under which the Ganga from Uttarakhand to West Bengal under Namami Gange project, in 1657 Gram Panchayat, 1657 clusters will be developed under Pramaparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) for the promotion of organic farming. Under this project, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare with the formation of clusters will also provide training on integrated nutrient management and micro-irrigation technology. Singh urged farmers to adopt organic farming.